Efficacy and safety of remifentanil in a rapid sequence induction in elderly patients: A three-arm parallel, double blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is recommended in patients at risk of aspiration, but induced haemodynamic adverse events, including tachycardia. In elderly patients, this trial aimed to assess the impact of the addition of remifentanil during RSI on the occurrence of: tachycardia (primary outcome), hypertension (due to intubation) nor hypotension (remifentanil).

Methods: In this three-arm parallel, double blind, multicentre controlled study, elderly patients (65 to 90 years old) hospitalised in three centres and requiring RSI were randomly allocated to three groups, where anaesthesia was induced with etomidate (0.

Transseptal puncture using minimally invasive echocardiography during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aims: To assess the usefulness of miniature transoesophageal echocardiography using a 10 F intracardiac probe (ICE-TEE) for transseptal catheterization during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods And Results: Intracardiac echocardiography probe was used transoesophageally in 79 consecutive patients (56 ± 11 years, 73% male) referred for AF ablation (60% paroxysmal and 38% persistent) to guide transseptal puncture. Transseptal catheterization monitored by ICE-TEE was well tolerated and successfully performed in all patients without any sedation.

Usefulness of trans-oesophageal echocardiography using intracardiac echography probe in guiding patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure.

Aims: To evaluate the use of intracardiac echocardiography probe through oesophageal route (ICE-TEE) for the monitoring of percutaneous foramen ovale (PFO) closure procedure.

Methods And Results: The study was conducted in 50 patients divided into two groups: in group I (n = 24), accuracy of ICE-TEE in assessing the inter-atrial septum (IAS) was compared with standard TEE, and in group II, we used ICE-TEE to monitor 26 consecutive patients referred for PFO closure. In group I, IAS was constantly visualized with a close correlation between ICE-TEE and standard TEE for IAS excursion (r = 0.

Bridge to transplantation with the wearable Novacor left ventricular assist system: operative technique.

Although the outcome of patients transplanted after univentricular cardiac support is similar to that of conventional patients, death on the device remains a substantial problem. The wearable Novacor left ventricular assist system (LVAS) may offer advantages over console-based systems by improving rehabilitation before transplantation. For these advantages to be realised, however, a smooth perioperative course is necessary.

[Reduction of per- and postoperative blood loss with aprotinin (Trasylol) during extracorporeal circulation].

Aprotinin is a pharmacological agent which, when given in high doses during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), seems to reduce postoperative blood loss significantly and thereby reduces the need for blood transfusion. This study was undertaken to confirm these claims and to show that there was also decreased peroperative bleeding and a shorter operation time. The immediate postoperative clinical course was also assessed.